Live: PM Modi Meets Portugal's Prime Minister Antonio Costa

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Portugal today in the first leg of his three-nation tour before heading for the US. In Lisbon, he held talks with Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa and interacted with the Indian community. PM Modi hailed the contributions of over 65,000 Indians in Portugal, saying they were India's "real ambassadors" and have enriched the culture of the country they have made their home. The prime minister cited the diversity of language and taste in India to point out that Indians can adapt to the culture of the country they live. PM Modi's last stop to the Netherlands will seek to boost bilateral ties and deepen economic cooperation.

Here are the live updates of PM Narendra Modi's Portugal tour:

Jun 25, 2017

00:36 (IST)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to his Portuguese counterpart Antonio Costa as he leaves for the US after stopping in Lisbon, Portugal.

PM Modi will meet US President Donald Trump at 3:30 pm EST on June 26, and will deliver a joint statement along with individual statements. But there will be no press meet, "as preferred by both leaders". This will be followed by a cocktail reception and a working dinner. Vice-President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, US Defence Secretary James Mattis and General Herbert Raymond McMaster will be involved in the visit along with all key cabinet members.

"India is moving ahead and touching new heights in various fields," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at Radha Krishna temple in Lisbon, Portugal, news agency ANI reported. "In the field of space, our scientists have done great work. Recently, 30 nano satellites were launched," he said.

Jun 24, 2017

22:13 (IST)

"I came on a very short notice, and received a very warm reception. This is a welcome for 1.25 billion Indians," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Lisbon today.

India and Portugal today announced a joint fund worth four million euros to bolster research in science and technology, news agency Press Trust of India reported. Eleven agreements were signed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Portuguese counterpart Antonio Costa. The pacts included cooperation in outer space exploration, double taxation avoidance, nanotechnology and sports, among others.

Jun 24, 2017

20:59 (IST)

PM: I thank Portugal for sharing a digital version of 12,000 documents comprising exchange of letters b/w Goa & Portugal in the 17th century

"Determined to deepen cooperation against terrorism, extremism," PM Modi said at the joint address in Lisbon.

Jun 24, 2017

20:48 (IST)

"Indian films are being subtitled in Portuguese and a Hindi-Portuguese dictionary is being developed for our mutual benefit," PM Modi said in the joint address with Portuguese PM Antonio Costa.

Jun 24, 2017

20:47 (IST)

"Portuguese passion for football runs deep; PM Costa himself is a big fan. This could form another league to further connect our societies," PM Modi said.

Jun 24, 2017

20:38 (IST)

"Portugal has emerged as one of the most vibrant ecosystems for entrepreneurship... New agreements in taxation, science, youth affairs and sports outline the expanding scope of our partnership," PM Modi said.

Jun 24, 2017

20:37 (IST)

"Start-up sphere is an interesting space for cooperation. It is a great means to generate value and wealth for society," PM Modi said.

"Prime Minister Costa represents the best of the Indian diaspora across the world... Our economic ties continue to follow an upward trajectory. Bilateral trade has grown 17 per cent in the last one year," PM Modi said.

Jun 24, 2017

20:33 (IST)

"At the outset I wish to convey our deepest condolences and sympathies for the victims of the devastating forest fire in Portugal last week," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Lisbon during a joint address with Portuguese PM Antonio Costa. "We are countries with deep historical relations and strong people-to-people ties, that's why I was surprised to know there has never been a bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister," PM Modi said.

"Our agreement on double taxation will improve business confidence... While maritime links connected our countries in the past, today I can say confidently it will be our digital link," Portuguese PM Antonio Costa said.

Jun 24, 2017

20:29 (IST)

"India and Portugal will make a great deal of progress in digital partnerships," Portuguese PM Antonio Costa said.

Jun 24, 2017

20:25 (IST)

"A lot of work has been done in six months since I visited India. Great strides have been made in partnerships in economy, science and technology," Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa said in a joint address with PM Modi.

Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa said PM Modi's visit is an excellent opportunity to review the implementation of the accords agreed during his India visit and sign new agreements, news agency Press Trust of India reported.

Securing agreement on the purchase of 22 unarmed drones, worth more than $2 billion, is seen in New Delhi as a key test of defence ties that flourished under former President Barack Obama but have drifted under Trump, who has courted Asian rival China as he seeks Beijing's help to contain North Korea's nuclear programme.

Jun 24, 2017

08:17 (IST)

Why Is PM Modi's visit to US crucial?

This will be PM Modi's first visit since Donald Trump took charge as the President of US in January.The two leaders have spoken on phone at least three times.

PM Modi's first talks with Mr Trump take place in the shadow of his sharp comments on India while announcing America's withdrawal from the Paris climate deal. India, he said, had made its participation "contingent on receiving billions and billions and billions of dollars in foreign aid."

The talks between two leaders would focus on Donald Trump's H1B visa programme under which thousands of skilled Indian workers go to the USand terrorism.

This will be the PM's fourth visit to the United States. He visited the US three times during the term of Barack Obama. He met Mr Obama eight times.

Jun 24, 2017

07:52 (IST)

PM Modi's Schedule In Portugal:

5.05 pm: Arrival at Lisbon, Portugal

6 pm: Restricted Meeting with Portuguese PM followed by working lunch8.05 pm: Press Statements, Exchange of Agreements and Launch of India-Portugal International Start Up Hub

8.40 pm: Visit to Champalimaud Foundation9.30 pm: Visit to Comunidade Hindu de Portugal and Interaction with Indian community